JGMcD2

I remember looking last year at the past two seasons because people kept saying Josh’s rushing TDs weren’t real TDs just like Hurts. I want to say like 70% of them were from 2 or more yards out.

Quality depth is much different than a quality starter - I wouldn’t have spent a few minutes on researching my post if the person I was responding to had said “quality depth”.

3 quality starters is quite the embellishment. There's also a serious financial component will all three of these players. Michael Carter II: Pro Football Focus ranks Carter as the NFL’s third-worst CB regular this season. Per Pro-Football-Reference, he has been charged with a whopping 19.5 yards per completion and a 109.7 passer rating as the closest defender. Jaire Alexander: After seeing injuries keep him out of over half of the past two seasons, Alexander was dealing with a knee issue in Baltimore’s training camp, but he found his way off the injury report in time to debut in Week 1 of the season. Alexander had an extremely poor showing against Josh Allen and the Bills, and the Ravens reacted by making him a healthy scratch for the next three games. He was active again in Baltimore’s Week 5 home blowout at the hands of the Texans and again the following week against the Rams, but he didn’t see the field in Week 6. After the team’s bye week, Alexander was made a healthy inactive for their last two games. Jaelan Phillips: Phillips’ base salary for 2025 ($13.25MM) made him one of the more expensive options in terms of finances, even with a portion of that figure already having been paid out. To help facilitate this deal, Miami is taking on money. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports the Dolphins are retaining some of Phillips’ remaining salary in return for a higher draft pick.

I mean, in defense of Beane, most of the people questioning his personnel decisions are probably the same folks who think they can tell what someone is thinking from a ten-second clip of them sitting alone in a press box on national television. I wouldn’t give much credence to those people either.

They’ve drafted perfectly well — they just haven’t lucked into an elite player while consistently picking in the back third of the first round. Few teams do. If you define “early-round picks” as Day 1 and Day 2 selections, their track record holds up just fine: Josh Allen Tremaine Edmunds Ed Oliver Greg Rousseau Spencer Brown James Cook Terrel Bernard Dalton Kincaid O’Cyrus Torrence That’s 9 of 17 Day 1–2 picks from 2018–2023 who are above-average NFL players — including three elite ones (Allen, Cook, and Brown) and another two or three (Oliver, Rousseau, Kincaid) who are significantly above average. It’s also worth noting that judging a draft class in less than two years is unreasonable; the most recent groups are still developing. You can also include Harrison Phillips, Devin Singletary, Dawson Knox, AJ Epenesa, and Dorian Williams as solid depth pieces or average starters. Across six drafts, they’ve really only missed on three early-round picks: Kaiir Elam (1st), Boogie Basham (2nd), and Cody Ford (2nd). For comparison: Chiefs (19 early-round picks) — misses include Breeland Speaks (2nd), Dorian O'Daniel (3rd), Clyde Edwards-Helaire (1st), Lucas Niang (3rd), Skyy Moore (2nd), and Felix Anudike-Uzomah (1st). Eagles (17 early-round picks) — misses include Andre Dillard (1st), JJ Arcega-Whiteside (2nd), Jalen Reagor (1st), and Davion Taylor (3rd). I can assure you — 90% of the league would love to have our draft record.

This is an absolutely wild take 😂

Pretty sure Josh tweaked his ankle early in the 4th quarter on the 3rd and 1 sneak. He came out of the pile gimpy and then handed it to Cook the next two plays, both of which he was hobbling a bit. Took two sacks right after those handoffs.

And he did, as he always does. He doesn’t have to like it, do you love every part of your job?

Imagine being asked the same questions over and over again 18 straight weeks plus training camp.

I was specifically countering the poster who was trying to make the case that the Steelers’ defense is some sort of measuring stick through the first four weeks of 2025. I didn’t really have much to say about the Patriots’ offense - though that poster was hyping them up for moving the ball against Pittsburgh, conveniently ignoring the five turnovers they committed when claiming they could move the ball at will against Buffalo. Let me get this right... the jury is still out on Buffalo because they played well against weak teams while missing multiple defensive starters, and at the same time, your argument is that the jury is still out on the Patriots’ defense just because they got a starter back after performing poorly against weak teams? Make it make sense. I’m not convinced this is the best team Buffalo has faced. They played the Ravens at full strength, and Baltimore is on another level compared to New England. I’m pretty confident that will be reflected in their record by the end of the 2025 season, assuming Lamar Jackson gets healthy.

The Steelers defense that ranks bottom-5 in yards allowed per game (382.5) and bottom-third in points allowed (24.5)? That same unit let the Justin Fields-led Jets, the Sam Darnold-led Seahawks, and the Carson Wentz-led Vikings move the ball at will. Meanwhile, Buffalo ranks 9th in yards allowed per game (290) - and that’s even with the 400+ they gave up in Week 1 against Baltimore. Since then, no opponent has topped 300 yards. The Bills just held those same Fields-led Jets to 150 total yards and 10 points, a week after New York hung 300 and 32. I’m not saying it’ll be a blowout, but the idea that New England walks into Orchard Park on primetime and rolls up offense just because they did it against Pittsburgh feels… questionable.

And at one point in time Pittsburgh had never done it? Or had been doing it for 1 year? How do you think traditions start? Lol

I’d push back on that. Traditions usually form organically - look at “Renegade” in Pittsburgh. “Mr. Brightside” is something the players enjoy, the fanbase has embraced, and the players themselves participate in. That’s exactly how traditions take root. It wasn’t manufactured - it grew naturally.

Vikings, Browns, Steelers (x2), New England and Packers won't be a cakewalk. They should beat Miami, Chicago, New York and Cincinatti (x2).

He's on pace for a very typical Josh Allen season. He's just done it for 5 years in a row, so we don't think too much about it. Projected 2025 stats: 70% completion percentage 4,097 passing yards 30 passing touchdowns 4 interceptions 675 rushing yards 13 rushing touchdowns 2024 MVP season: 63.6% completion percentage 3,731 passing yards 28 passing touchdowns 6 interceptions 531 rushing yards 12 rushing touchdowns His career 17-game average: 63.5% completion percentage 4050 passing yards 30 passing touchdowns 13 interceptions 636 rushing yards 10 rushing touchdowns

A quote from the same article was listed under the Chiefs section, but it applies to us too: “With all these successful teams, that’s what people don’t realize. When you are successful every year, having to pick at the end of each round, the talent is drained. Yet, they are still finding players and culture fits.” If Brett Veach takes over the Chiefs with only Mahomes - without Chris Jones, Travis Kelce, or Tyreek Hill (all drafted before him) - does it look and feel the same? If the Eagles don’t pick in the top third of the draft from 2021–2023, does it look and feel the same? Between Cook, Benford, and Spencer Brown - all either elite or on the cusp - doesn’t that feel a bit stronger than the Chiefs’ hits in that tier, like Humphrey and McDuffie?

They weren’t direct disciples at all. They were complementary pieces in a system where the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Brandon Beane has even said on record that he trusted Joe Schoen’s player evaluations more than his own. Beane is the big-picture architect, his best skill is taking all of the information into account and making decisions that align with their organizational values. Schoen is a scout who is playing GM by chasing talent and only has the concepts of a plan. And Brian Daboll? He’s not half the leader McDermott is. Relationship issues have followed him everywhere he’s been - including Buffalo, where they had to move him off the sidelines because he was far too unpredictable. They started out on the exact same path as Buffalo, with a surprise playoff appearance. Then their hubris at the QB position saw them hitch their wagon to a guy they weren’t sold on. In contrast, Tyrod Taylor was traded for a 3rd round pick after breaking the 17-year drought so Buffalo could clear the way for their pursuit of the most important position in sports.

Idk, maybe read the rest of the blurb… General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott share a like-minded view on roster acquisition. And while there have been inconsistencies in the draft, the Bills were still able to reload on the fly over the last two years, shedding veterans for a youth movement. “They have a really good staff and a clear vision for what a Bill looks like,” an executive said. “With few exceptions, their guys are always tough and competitive.” There’s a real significance in building through the draft in Buffalo, too. Quite poignantly, it hadn’t been a priority destination for free agents, at least not before Allen took off. “They identified the QB and built around him,” another executive said. “They’ve got a good group of scouts who work hard, grind, know how to get information and they’re really organized.” EDIT: Here is the blurb on KC, what’s the difference? Other than John Dorsey drafting 3 Hall of Fame players before Beane took over as GM of the Bills? Former general manager John Dorsey drafted quarterback Patrick Mahomes, defensive lineman Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce. Still, his protégé, Brett Veach, has maintained the operation's integrity since his 2017 promotion. Veach, who followed coach Andy Reid to Kansas City in 2013, worked on the college side and had a hand in the evaluation of the Chiefs’ three most impactful additions. That continuity has been an asset. The player evaluation process is known to be especially thorough, and the coaches have trusted the scouting department, which has resulted in strong chemistry within the draft room. “They all speak the same language and know what the coaches want,” an executive said. The Chiefs don’t have a flawless draft record, but other executives insist that the overall body of work is impressive, considering they consistently select late. For example, consider 2021, when they selected linebacker Nick Bolton and center Creed Humphrey late in the second round. Kansas City then picked right guard Trey Smith in the sixth. “They obviously crushed the Mahomes pick, which is an all-time great one, and he is just so good that can cover other things,” an executive said. “With all these successful teams, that’s what people don’t realize. When you are successful every year, having to pick at the end of each round, the talent is drained. Yet, they are still finding players and culture fits.”

There was no author... The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack.

Oops, yeah my bad. I had a server timeout. Mods, can you please merge? 🙏

As the 2025 season began, The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack. 1. Philadelphia Eagles 2. Baltimore Ravens 3. Los Angeles Rams 4. Buffalo Bills It all starts with the quarterback in Buffalo, but don’t diminish the process. Reigning MVP Josh Allen was a tough player to evaluate leading up to the 2018 draft, but the Bills packaged a pair of second-round picks to move up five spots from No. 12 to select the Wyoming quarterback. Then they had to hold steady for a couple of years while he refined his skills. They’ve cashed in ever since. “They nailed the QB, and that goes a really long way,” an executive said. “I was not a huge Josh Allen fan (before the draft). They put in the work and the time, and that was not a slam-dunk pick by any stretch. But they identified him.” General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott share a like-minded view on roster acquisition. And while there have been inconsistencies in the draft, the Bills were still able to reload on the fly over the last two years, shedding veterans for a youth movement. “They have a really good staff and a clear vision for what a Bill looks like,” an executive said. “With few exceptions, their guys are always tough and competitive.” There’s a real significance in building through the draft in Buffalo, too. Quite poignantly, it hadn’t been a priority destination for free agents, at least not before Allen took off. “They identified the QB and built around him,” another executive said. “They’ve got a good group of scouts who work hard, grind, know how to get information and they’re really organized.” 5. Kansas City Chiefs

As the 2025 season began, The Athletic asked 29 general managers, head coaches and high-ranking team executives to rank their top front offices in the NFL (no one was allowed to vote for their team). We tabulated the votes and solicited specific feedback on the top teams to put the focus on why these front offices have set themselves apart from the pack. 1. Philadelphia Eagles 2. Baltimore Ravens 3. Los Angeles Rams 4. Buffalo Bills It all starts with the quarterback in Buffalo, but don’t diminish the process. Reigning MVP Josh Allen was a tough player to evaluate leading up to the 2018 draft, but the Bills packaged a pair of second-round picks to move up five spots from No. 12 to select the Wyoming quarterback. Then they had to hold steady for a couple of years while he refined his skills. They’ve cashed in ever since. “They nailed the QB, and that goes a really long way,” an executive said. “I was not a huge Josh Allen fan (before the draft). They put in the work and the time, and that was not a slam-dunk pick by any stretch. But they identified him.” General manager Brandon Beane and coach Sean McDermott share a like-minded view on roster acquisition. And while there have been inconsistencies in the draft, the Bills were still able to reload on the fly over the last two years, shedding veterans for a youth movement. “They have a really good staff and a clear vision for what a Bill looks like,” an executive said. “With few exceptions, their guys are always tough and competitive.” There’s a real significance in building through the draft in Buffalo, too. Quite poignantly, it hadn’t been a priority destination for free agents, at least not before Allen took off. “They identified the QB and built around him,” another executive said. “They’ve got a good group of scouts who work hard, grind, know how to get information and they’re really organized.” 5. Kansas City Chiefs

Yeah, but I just pulled off a league-altering trade in my dynasty league after two weeks - managed to get Jaxon Smith-Njigba for two firsts and a second. I’ve been in the finals six straight seasons and won four of them. Losing in the finals last year left a bad taste. If I can make moves like this, why can’t Beane? Clearly, he doesn’t want to win as badly as I do.

Our offense is a massive, MASSIVE problem... ... for the rest of the NFL.

I mentioned it earlier in a group chat - it’s not something I would’ve challenged personally. In real time, I was yelling that it was a bobble, not a catch. If that had been the original call on the field, I think it would’ve stood. Same goes the other way with it being ruled a catch. What really frustrates me is the league’s process for replay assistance. It’s absurd. I even joked in that same chat that McDermott was probably waiting for the league to randomly radio down from the booth and overturn it, but maybe this just wasn’t one of those games. Then sure enough, late in the game, the refs suddenly do radio down and overturn a bad spot on the Dolphins’ final drive.